The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and such like

[Padding]

First swedish movie was directed by Danish filmmaker Niels Arden Oplev and frankly that was the best one. IMO the first book was written to be stand-alone, but when Stieg Larsson had written it he built 2 more books to go along with the characters. Im just speculating, but it seems that way to me.

[Benny]

What a superb book. It should be on the list really. Finished it a couple of nights back and have been googling abuot it since. I'm loathed to read the next as I'd hate it to be an anti-climax. Next stop, the English then the original movie. Great recommendation chaps.

[smilodon]

Don't be loathed at all. I'm inclined to think Larsson wrote the first novel without a clear idea if there would even be a second. When the original did so well I imagine the natural plan would probably be to write a 'Blomkvist and Salander team up one again to track down a new killer..... blah, blah, blah." However Larssen didn't go with the easy route but wrote a completely new story arc that while it naturally follows on from the first book and includes many of the original characters doesn't simply send them off on a new adventure.
The closest analogy that comes to mind is comparing the sequel to Pitch Black. While the Chronicles of Riddick is set in the same universe and stars the same protagonist it's nothing like the original film. It's a Sci-Fi chase movie compared to a Sci-Fi monster horror movie.
In the same way the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo moves from crime thriller to political thriller. To be honest I found the second book to be better than the first and the third to be better than the second. The new story arc is utterly compelling and I defy anyone to happily put the books down rather than sit up half the night to read "just one more chapter...!"

Go for it!

[Benny]

Git....done, added to Kindle, I've got 8 hours on a plane to kill next week

[Penfold]

Worth doing.

I don't remember being overly disappointed with the second and thirds books in the series.

[Benny]

What an engaging trilogy. Cheers fellas, really enjoyed it.

If anyone is hesitating, they are all three worth a read.

[TeaLeaf]

Get all three blurays in this trilogy on Amazon today for £10.23.  A most excellent, dark and gritty three films.  Highly recommended if you have not already seen these Swedish originals (which are way better than the single Hollywood film version)


The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo [Blu-ray] - £4.25
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003H9N2G0

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest [Blu-ray] [2010] - £2.99
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003XT797M

The Girl Who Played With Fire [Blu-ray] [2010] - £2.99
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003XRD8X8


Interestingly I'm currently enjoying  Michael Nyqvist in '100 Code'.  Not sure if anyone else is watching it, but it is a great tv drama series.